Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary < PSALM 145
Ps 145:1-21. A Psalm of praise to God for His mighty, righteous, and gracious government of all men, and of His humble and suffering people in particular. 1, 2. (Compare Ps 30:1). bless thy name—celebrate Thy perfections (Ps 5:11). God is addressed as king, alluding to His government of men. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 3. (Compare Ps 18:3; 48:1).
greatness—as displayed in His works. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 4. shall declare—literally, "they shall declare," that is, all generations.
I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 5. I will speak—or, "muse" (Ps 77:12; 119:15).
thy wondrous works—or, "words of thy wonders," that is, which described them (Ps 105:27, Margin). And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. 6. terrible acts—which produce dread or fear.
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 7. memory—(Ps 6:5), remembrance, or what causes to be remembered.
righteousness—as in Ps 143:1, goodness according to covenant engagement. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 8, 9. (Compare Ps 103:8; 111:4).
over all, &c.—rests on all His works. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 10. bless—as in Ps 145:1, to praise with reverence, more than merely to praise.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 11, 12. The declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world.
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 13. (Compare Da 4:3, 34).
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 14. (Compare Ps 37:17; 54:4).
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 15, 16. eyes of … thee—or, look with expecting faith (Ps 104:27, 28).
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 17. holy … works—literally, "merciful" or "kind, goodness" (Ps 144:2) is the corresponding noun.
righteous—in a similar relation of meaning to "righteousness" (Ps 145:7). The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 18, 19. (Compare Ps 34:7, 10).
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 20. Those who fear Him (Ps 145:19) are those who are here said to love Him.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. 21. (Compare Ps 33:21). all flesh—(Ps 65:2). The Psalm ends, as it began, with ascriptions of praise, in which the pious will ever delight to join. |
